Official: Monte Tome Replaces Jorge Vilda as Head Coach of Spain Women's National Team

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has officially announced the selection of Montse Tome as the new head coach of the senior women's national team. This appointment comes as a replacement for Jorge Vilda, who was dismissed despite leading the team to a World Cup victory.

By: Harry Siuu

09/06/2023 04:40

Jorge Vilda was relieved of his duties just hours before Montse Tome's appointment, despite successfully guiding La Roja to their historic World Cup victory earlier this summer. However, Vilda's tenure as head coach was marked by turbulence.

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Jorge Vilda spoke out about Spain, Jenni Hermoso and Luis Rubiales scandal

Jorge Vilda, the former head coach of the Spain national women's team, has spoken out for the first time following his termination.

In an interview with SER's 'El Larguero' radio program, Vilda delved into the dispute with Rubiales and his tenure with the national team, which culminated in Spain clinching the World Cup.

Jorge Vilda, the embattled coach of Spain’s women’s World Cup championship team, was fired Tuesday by the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

The RFEF praised Vilda as he “leaves Spain as world champion and second in the FIFA ranking.”https://t.co/5MR6ei0tYH
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) September 5, 2023

Here are the key excerpts from the interview:

On his current state of mind

"I'm as well as I can be after being world champions, after being renewed and after today being dismissed I think unfairly."

I've given 100 percent and I don't understand it

Jorge Vilda

About his previously announced renewal

"It was an announcement before a general assembly, where the board of directors was present. It was an announcement of a contract that was already perfected, before the Assembly."

On his dismissal

"It has been a brief meeting with Pedro Rocha and with the vice-president for equality. The explanation is that there have been "structural changes". After all that I have achieved, after giving my all as just another worker, I have a clear conscience. I have given one hundred percent and I don't understand it, I didn't see my dismissal being deserved."

"I didn't expect it. I had a different idea. You always have the illusion and the hope of the good treatment I have always received. I saw myself with strength and desire to play in a Nations League, an Olympic Games... it motivated me a lot as a coach."

On his replacement

"Right now I have about more than 500 messages. I have not been able to review who has written to me. Montse Tomé deserved it, I have congratulated her. She has the ability to do very well. She was chosen by me. She has a great team. The greatest legacy I can leave is the recognizable style of play, the methodology... to be able to play in this way. That's where it is and she will take advantage of it. She's ready and she's going to do well."

On the criticism he has received

"In the end I know what my profession is. I know that when we lose there will be criticisms and when we win sometimes the balloon is inflated. In sporting terms, I will accept everything or almost everything. On a personal level, I do believe that I have been unfair to me. It has been a special year, I have taken it as a master's degree. Nothing has ever been said directly, but indirectly things have been said that do not go with me. Things have been said that are not true."

On defamations against him

"There has never been anyone with a name and surname who has said that Jorge Vilda is this or has done this. To date absolutely no one has come out. I've been fighting for 17 years for women's soccer, for the values of respect, equality, teamwork... and I haven't moved from there."

Jorge Vilda has officially been fired as head coach and sporting director of Spain's women's team.

The Spanish FA also issued an apology for the “totally unacceptable behavior” by Luis Rubiales.

More: https://t.co/XggdgrV6MZ
— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) September 5, 2023

On the applause for Rubiales' speech

"I will never applaud anything macho. I will never applaud anything that goes against the fight for equality. I didn't know very well what I was going to that assembly, we thought we were going to see a resignation. The president is valuing your work and announces your renewal... I applauded that. I also applaud a management with a budget that has been multiplied by four. When 150 people applaud, it's hard to be the only one who doesn't."

On Jenni Hermoso

"In the press release I talk about the gesture in the box, the medal presentation... I have known Jenni for 16 years. We have evolved together in soccer. She had a great World Cup and I know she and her family are having a hard time. She is waiting for all this to happen. I haven't spoken to her; I've been off the phone a lot. But I don't like her having a hard time."

On Rubiales' kiss to Jenni Hermoso

"We were in a line; I was the second to last and at that moment I didn't see Rubiales' kiss. When I saw the images, I was surprised. An improper act. On the return trip, many of the players were resting. There were conversations with players, family members... but I didn't ask Jenni to go out and talk."

About communication with Rubiales

"I have not spoken to Rubiales again since the Assembly."

On the players' support

"They have not told me that I was leaving. I think it's impossible to get these results if we don't create a group where there's a very good feeling. Without following what the coaching staff planned for the matches, it's impossible to be world champions."

On his future

"The first thing I will do is rest but if tomorrow I can put on my boots and go out to train I would be delighted. It's the profession I love and I think it's what I know how to do best."

"I am very proud of what I have achieved. I remember a lot of the players who participated in the qualifiers for this World Cup. All of them have built the world champion Spain."

About a message to the fans and the country in general

"I hope that all this has served for something. I really hope so. The victory of this national team will be valued more with time. I'm left wondering what the footballing criteria are for why I'm not continuing as a coach. It is a strange situation. The most painful thing is that my honorability and my behavior are being questioned".